3 STAGES OF HATHA - Moon

According to tradition, cultivating stability is paramount in our practice—both on and off the mat. The Yoga Sutra, Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Gheranda Samhita, and other ancient texts all emphasize that nothing is more fundamental to practice than stability. These sacred scriptures state that only when the body and mind are made steady does the true path of yoga unfold.

The modern idea that yoga is about flexibility is a recent misunderstanding. Flexibility alone will only take us so far. True yoga begins when we slow down, cultivate stability, and face the aspects of our mind we often avoid. In that stillness, we catch a glimpse of who we are beyond thought, time, and space.

“Once the moon has been made steady, then the sun can be made to shine.”

This powerful statement from the Gheranda Samhita underscores the importance of first steadying the mind. A stable mind is the foundation for success in both practice and life. Without it, progress becomes uncertain, and we may even regress.

The energy we generate through practice is like sunlight—it does not discriminate. It illuminates both the positive and negative aspects of the mind.

Yoga is about power—the power to overcome our limitations, move toward the heart, and elevate the mind. But without stability, power can easily be misused for control and manipulation. The choice is always ours, and with a calm, steady mind, we are far more likely to choose wisely.